Senior Operational Data Management Associate

Deadline for Applications March 30, 2026 Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based) A (least hardship) Family Type (not applicable for home-based) Family Staff Member / Affiliate Type CONTR Local Senior Level Support Target Start Date 2026-04-01 Terms of Reference Purpose and Scope of Assignment: Concise and detailed description of activities, including measurable outputs and delivery dates, impact indicators (what qualitative and quantitative results would be achieved upon completion of individual contract), performance indicators (timelines, value of the service rendered in relation to the cost, timeliness), and work plan: The incumbent provides hands-on database administration, data quality assurance, and system support for UNHCR operational data systems, including but not limited to RAIS, ProGres Cloud, TuranCore, and related local or interlinked databases. The role supports protection, programme, operations, and management colleagues by ensuring that databases remain reliable, secure, performant, and fit for operational use. 1. Database Administration and Maintenance • Conduct daily health checks of production databases, including disk space, connection counts, long-running queries, blocked processes, and job status. • Monitor database fragmentation levels and perform index maintenance when thresholds are exceeded. • Track table sizes and growth trends, identifying and flagging abnormal growth patterns. • Perform routine clean-up of obsolete log tables, audit records, and temporary data in line with retention policies. • Apply database patches and updates during approved maintenance windows, in coordination with DIST. • Ensure test and development databases remain structurally aligned with production environments. • Maintain a centralized database tracking log documenting changes, incidents, maintenance activities, and follow-up actions. • Monitor outstanding database issues and escalate unresolved risks in a timely manner. 2. Test Database Management and Tracking • Refresh test databases from production on agreed schedules (weekly or monthly, as required). • Maintain records of test database refreshes, including dates, responsible staff, and encountered issues. • Ensure that sensitive personal data is masked or anonymized in non-production environments, in line with UNHCR data protection policies. • Monitor test database size and perform clean-up following completed testing cycles. • Coordinate with developers and system owners prior to major changes to test environments. 3. Data Quality and Data Integrity • Execute duplicate detection and validation checks on key datasets (e.g. cases, persons, documentation). • Conduct routine data quality checks across systems such as TuranCore, RAIS, and ProGres Cloud. • Address data inconsistencies reported by users or identified through validation scripts. • Verify referential integrity between related tables and systems. • Validate datasets against defined business rules and flag violations to data owners. • Maintain a shared data quality issue log, tracking status and resolution progress. 4. Backup and Recovery Support • Verify the successful completion of daily database backups and review backup logs. • Support periodic restore tests to confirm the usability of backups. • Coordinate with DIST on backup schedules, retention periods, and storage allocation. • Maintain up-to-date documentation on backup and recovery procedures. • Keep an inventory of backed-up databases, including scope, retention, and storage locations. 5. Troubleshooting and User Support • Investigate failed SQL jobs and scheduled tasks, resolving issues or escalating recurring failures. • Provide technical support to field offices on database connectivity and performance issues. • Troubleshoot synchronization failures between interconnected systems (e.g. RAIS, ProGres Cloud, local databases). • Maintain a log of recurring issues and contribute to identifying long-term solutions. • Respond to urgent database-related incidents during working hours in coordination with supervisors. 6. Reporting and Monitoring • Develop and maintain dashboards (e.g. Power BI) to monitor database health and performance indicators. • Prepare weekly status reports covering backup status, job failures, storage usage, and pending issues. • Support the configuration of alerts for critical incidents such as backup failures or low disk space. • Track and analyse database performance trends over time. 7. Scripting and Automation • Develop SQL and Python scripts to automate repetitive database administration and monitoring tasks. • Support data extraction requests from operational units through scripted queries. • Automate routine health check reports and anomaly detection processes. • Develop scripts to identify data quality issues and unusual patterns. 8. Documentation and Knowledge Management • Document database schemas, table relationships, and key data flows. • Maintain and update SOPs for common procedures (e.g. backup restoration, test database refreshes). • Keep an up-to-date inventory of all supported databases, including purpose, ownership, size, and backup arrangements. • Document custom scripts with clear usage instructions to support continuity and knowledge transfer. • Perform other related duties as required. Monitoring and Progress Controls: The Senior Information Management Associate works under the supervision of the DIMA Coordinator, providing day-to-day technical support and escalating complex issues as required. Required qualifications, language(s) and work experience: Education: Minimum 4 years of relevant experience with a High School Diploma, or 2 years of relevant experience with a Bachelor’s degree or higher. Language: Required: Excellent command of English and Turkish Field of expertise, competencies: Essential Experience • Experience in information management, database support, or data systems administration. • Demonstrated experience supporting operational data systems and ensuring data quality. Desirable Experience • Experience supporting humanitarian or development operations. • Familiarity with large-scale operational databases and system interoperability. Core Competencies • Accountability • Communication • Organizational Awareness • Teamwork and Collaboration • Commitment to Continuous Learning • Client and Results Orientation Cross-Functional Competencies • Technological Awareness • Planning and Organizing • Innovation and Creativity Individual Contractor Definition: Individual contractor is an individual engaged by UNHCR under a contract of limited duration to provide skills or knowledge for the performance of a specific task or piece of work and engaged under an individual contract issued directly by UNHCR. They are neither staff members of UnaNHCR under the Staff Regulations and Rules, nor Officials for the purpose of the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations of 13 February 1946. Contract Duration/Renewal: Any extension of an individual contract is subject to operational needs, satisfactory service, and availability of funds. There is no expectation of renewal or conversion of the individual contract beyond its expiry date. Working Hours: 40 hours per week, inclusive of mandatory night shifts, possibility of work on weekends and official holidays as part of the assigned schedule. Leave Entitlements: Annual leave at the rate of two and a half working days per month. Sick leave at the rate of two working days for each month of service. Medical Coverage: Cigna Health Insurance, also available optionally for eligible dependents subject to additional contribution rates and contract duration. Remuneration: Remuneration at the level of the vacancy (G4 level or G5 level as applicable) based on the International Civil Services Commission (ICSC) salary scale. Legal Requirements: Individual Contractors must comply with relevant local legislation, including but not limited to those relating to taxation, social security requirements, licenses, work permits and visas, and other details stipulated in the terms of their contract. UNHCR undertakes no liability for taxes and social security contributions, duties or other contributions payable by the individual contract holder on payments made under the individual contract. The individual contract holders will not be reimbursed such taxes or granted any other benefit, payment or subsidy which is not expressly provided for in the contract under which they are engaged. UNHCR may require the individual contract holder to provide evidence within a reasonable time that they have registered for and are paying applicable taxation and social security to the relevant national authorities Important to note: The Individual Contractor shall be responsible for paying any tax levied by his/her Government or other entities on his/her UNHCR earnings. Under no circumstances shall UNHCR be responsible for paying or reimbursing such taxes. Host country Labor Law is not applicable. Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) Clearances and ID Cards: Applications of non-Turkish candidates are subject to MFA clearance before any offer can be made. For cleared candidates who are recruited, MFA ID card applications will be processed while the issuance lies within the authority of the MFA. Important to note: Once the MFA ID is issued, the time spent under an Individual Contract no longer counts toward eligibility for Turkish citizenship. Application Requirements: Applicants must ensure: To apply for the vacancies timely through Workday. No late applications are accepted. To reflect their previous experience, language skills (including the mother tongue) and other assets in their Workday applicant profiles duly. Shortlisting is done based on the information provided in the applications only To attach their valid residence permits (both sides visible) in case they are non-Turkish nationals. PLEASE DO NOT USE TURKISH CHARACTERS IN YOUR NAME & SURNAME INFORMATION. Recruitment as a UNHCR staff member and engagement under a UNHCR affiliate scheme or as an intern is subject to successful reference checks and integrity clearance. UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, meeting, processing, training, or any other fees). Only short-listed candidates will be notified. The recruitment process might include a written test and/or oral interview for this job opening. No late applications will be accepted. External candidates should be legally present in Türkiye at the time of application, recruitment, and hire. Non-Turkish citizens are required to upload their residence permits or relevant documents under the ‘Certifications’ section, by selecting the type as ‘Personnel Administration – Other’, in order to be considered for this job opening. Applications by non-Turkish citizens will NOT be considered if a valid residence permit is not attached to the application. For further information on how to apply, please visit the ‘UNHCR - Application and Selection’ page at https://www.unhcr.org/how-to-apply.html. Standard Job Description Required Languages English , Turkish , Desired Languages , , Additional Qualifications Skills Education Certifications Work Experience Other information This position doesn't require a functional clearance Remote No Important notice: Please note that UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, meeting, travelling, processing or training). Read about how to avoid scams and fraudulent job offers. Please note that applications are only accepted via the UNHCR online recruitment platform. CVs and/or application requests sent via email will not be answered, reviewed nor considered. For external applicants: We would like to call your attention on the eligibility of International Professional (P) category: According to our Recruitment and Assignments Policy, P staff members will not normally serve in the country of their nationality, and the first regular appointment in the P category must be outside the staff member's country of nationality. In practical terms this means that you are not eligible to apply for International Professional vacancies advertised in the country where you are national of. In case of technical difficulties when applying, external applicants (not current UNHCR workforce members) can write to recruitmentcase@unhcr.org. For former UNHCR Colleagues: Former UNHCR employees who are on mandatory break-in service or have separated from UNHCR after 1 October 2022 should create an account through this platform. Once you fill in your basic personal information (employee ID, birth date, name, email address), Workday will identify you as prior personnel and merge your employee account with your external applicant account. The UNHCR workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages and opinions. UNHCR seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on grounds of race, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity. UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, takes the lead in protecting people forced to flee wars and persecution around the world, providing life-saving aid including shelter, food and water to ensure their basic safety, rights and dignity. With 18,879 women and men working in 137 countries, we work tirelessly to make a difference in the lives of 89.3 million forcibly displaced people worldwide. Our dedicated and professional staff work around the clock in roles including legal protection, community services, public affairs, health and more. Despite the challenges they can face, our staff are proud to work for UNHCR and determined to make a positive impact. Why a career with UNHCR? Our dedicated staff work to protect and assist people fleeing conflict and persecution at a time when global forced displacement is at a record high. Our colleagues bring a wide range of specialized skills, including expertise in legal protection, administration, community services, public affairs, health and other disciplines. Disability inclusion If you are a person with a disability and you expect you may face challenges during the recruitment process, you can indicate it in your application form. There are options to select any health conditions you may have and outline any necessary adjustments related to disabilities during the recruitment phases. Providing this information is optional. It will be treated as strictly confidential and used only for the purpose of finding out how to better assist you during the recruitment process. Adjustments for candidates with disabilities will be provided as best as possible and as needed upon request. All candidates will be assessed based on meeting the requirements for each vacancy in relation to experience, skills, and education.